"Emmetsburg is ranked second in the state and has to be the favorite," Thompson said. "Ankeny also has four ranked athletes. Algona doesn't have anyone in the Top-10, but they have some solid wrestlers, too."

Ankeny is the defending champion after holding off Clarion-Goldfield last season and crowning five champs. The Cowboys won five titles as well last season, with two going to Fort Dodge, one to Emmetsburg and one to Ballard.

For the Dodgers, fifth-ranked senior Duke Egli is the defending 160-pound champion. Egli earned his 71st career victory in Fort Dodge's senior-opener against the J-Hawks.

"We need to wrestle with the same type of aggressiveness and intensity as (Thursday)," Thompson said. "I saw a lot of encouraging things for the future."

Returning champions in the field for Ankeny are eighth-ranked Austin Anderson.